The LA Kings are expected to recall forward Jeff Malott, adding depth to their lineup as they gear up for a crucial stretch of the season.
The Los Angeles Kings are making roster adjustments before their Thursday clash with the Colorado Avalanche. According to John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor, the team is set to recall Jeff Malott forward, adding reinforcements to their lineup as injuries take a toll.
With a comfortable $1.757 million in cap space, as per PuckPedia, the Kings can accommodate Malott’s $775,000 cap hit without needing to make additional roster moves. This will be Malott’s first call-up to L.A.’s NHL squad this season. If he hits the ice, it will mark his second career NHL appearance—his first coming in the 2021-22 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
The decision to bring Malott up comes at a critical time, as the Kings are dealing with multiple injuries among their forwards. Tanner Jeannot exited Tuesday’s game against the New York Rangers with an upper-body injury, and Alex Turcotte was a late scratch due to an undisclosed issue. With Akil Thomas being the only extra forward available, the Kings needed an insurance policy in case they suffered another setback.
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While Malott doesn’t have much NHL experience, he brings other valuable attributes to the table. Standing at 6’4” and weighing 201 pounds, he offers size and physicality, qualities that can be beneficial on the fourth line. More importantly, he’s been making a strong impact in the AHL. Serving as an alternate captain for the Ontario Reign, he has notched an impressive 23 goals and 28 assists in 61 games, placing him third in team scoring. His aggressive style of play is evident from his 80 penalty minutes, the highest on the Reign, while his +17 rating shows he’s been reliable at both ends of the ice.
Malott’s stay with the Kings is expected to be short-term, primarily filling in while the team assesses its injury situation. However, his call-up presents a golden opportunity for him to prove he can contribute at the NHL level. If he can bring the same energy and offensive spark he’s shown in the minors, he might just carve out a longer role with the Kings.
For now, his focus will be on making the most of this chance—starting with a potential appearance against the Avalanche.
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